Peer Quotes

His voice is as liltingly evocative as ever, the songs as pointed and poignant, beautiful and sad. Never tire of the road, Andy! Andy Irvine is Ireland’s Woody Guthrie, with a philosopher’s ear and a prophet’s passionate voice. He is also a stunning singer and instrumentalist who weaves melody and texture, harmony and rhythm, into a rich tapestry of present and past. – Si Kahn

Andy Irvine is someone whose singing I have always loved. He always takes you to the place he’s in. He creates a world … Andy singing a song like Bonny Woodhall or West Coast of Clare, or a song like The Jolly Beggar, songs of another era, but tapped into beautifully by Andy and his treatment of them. – Donal Lunny

I’ve had the wonderful pleasure of working and touring with Andy on numerous occasions. He’s a great musician. – Dolores Keane

Andy is one of the most creative and talented people it has ever been my privilege to work with. Great company, superb singer, genius of a musician, truly original songwriter and an inspiration to all of us – what more could anyone ask? – Dick Gaughan

Press Quotes

Andy Irvine remains the quintessential folk singer with a set of flesh and blood songs that touch the heart and give the mind food for thought. What makes an evening with Irvine so special is that every note he picks and every line he sings comes from the heart. Everything he touches is performed with honesty and conviction and his playing is never less than breathtaking. By any measure Irvine is one of the towering talents on the International folk scene. – Sydney Morning Herald

Andy is like an old friend. I’ve known his unique voice for so long – from Sweeney’s Men to Planxty, from his duo with Paul Brady to his solo performances. His singing is pure emotion. His playing is both delicate and energetic. Andy invented the interlaces of bouzouki, mandolin and mandola in Irish music. He’s often been mimicked, but never equalled. – Hot Press

Andy Irvine is Woody Guthrie’s representative on earth. – Hot Press

Andy Irvine has been one of Ireland’s most creative talents for over 20 years. – Boston Globe

The concert was an unqualified success, Irvine delivering a wonderfully diverse set that included traditional and contemporary Irish songs, American songs and Bulgarian dance tunes. – Toronto Star

Andy Irvine’s live solo performance was informative, witty, intense, full of a love for the music, which he transmitted to the audience with an honesty that only the truly committed can attain. – Auckland Festival

His forte, his genius is playing his mandolin, mandola and bouzouki. I have never heard such clarity of sound, such perfect and precise rhythmic variations or such brilliant melodic figures from this family of instruments. – San Francisco Examiner

Irvine turned in a dazzling display of one-man-bandsmanship. – The Scotsman

Andy Irvine’s solo stage show is a musical travelogue through time and space. His right hand dexterity on bouzouki was nothing short of amazing. – Frets Magazine

Woody would have been proud. – Denver Post

Irvine’s voice and accompaniment combine in a spell-weaving fashion, his story songs so fully animated that it’s easy to understand how some cultures get along just fine without cable TV. – Los Angeles Times

Andy Irvine is a tradition in himself. – Irish Press

The Noam Chomsky of Irish Balladry chisels out a new motherlode of sung literature. A bloody masterpiece. – Irish Times

What makes an evening with Irvine so special is that every note he picks and every line he sings comes from the heart. Everything he touches is performed with honesty and conviction and his playing is never less than breathtaking. By any measure Irvine is one of the towering talents on the International folk scene. – Sydney Morning Herald

His artistry is quite simply unique. – The Independent

” One of the great musicians of the Irish folk scene “– Robin Denselow ( The Guardian )

” Abocurragh – a fine snapshot of a musician ever in pursuit of the story and the song ” – The Irish Times

” From start to finish Parachilna is, once again, Andy Irvine at his best ” – Folk World

Fiddler’s Green Festival, Rostrever N.I., July 2001

Andy was inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame by Tommy Sands at the festival this year. For the induction, Tommy gathered quotes from other musicians that Andy has played with over the years. Here they are:

From somewhere in Galicia, Spain:
Congratulations Andy on the Hall of Fame Award
Very richly deserved
Have a great evening
You’re among great peopleLiam Og O’Flynn

From Cahirlistrane Co Galway
I’ve had the wonderful pleasure of working and touring with Andy on numerous occasions. He’s a great musician entirely deserving of the award. “The very best of luck for the future Andy, can’t wait to getting together with you again. Love and kisses……”Dolores Keane

From RTE Dublin 4:
Please pass on our congratulations to Andy, no one is more deserving of an award for a lifetime contribution to the music of IrelandPaddy Glackin and Micheal O’Domhnaill

From Edinburgh Scotland:
It is my opinion that Andy Irvine has been one of the decisive forces within what is known loosely as “Celtic Music”.

Sweeney’s Men and Planxty changed the approach of musicians and singers all round the world to the performing of “Folk” music and his solo work has inspired a couple of generations of younger singers and musicians.

He has been at the cutting edge of our music for at least 35 years, has been responsible for several major advances in the development of our understanding and interpreting our music and it would be impossible to overstate the significance of the huge contribution he has made.

On a personal note, Andy is one of the most creative and talented people it has ever been my privilege to work with; I learned a great deal from collaborating with him on the occasions we did.

And if you want one of those late-night rambling blethers over a glass or several, his crack’s good, too!

Great company, superb singer, genius of a musician, truly original songwriter and an inspiration to all of us – what more could anyone ask?

If he’s listening to this – Andy, old son, we should get together some time and make that other record, you know the one where we get round to singing together as well as playing?

Congratulations on the award, Andy – nobody deserves a place in the Hall of Giants more than you do. Have a dram for me.Dick Gaughan